Method of,and apparatus for,opening folded multi-sheet paper products

ABSTRACT

A method of, and apparatus for, opening folded, multi-sheet paper products, especially folded newspapers, specifically for the purpose of introducing an insert into the thus opened paper product, wherein a pressure is exerted at the region of the fold of the paper product, this pressure extending transverse to the plane of the product itself. As a result the sheets of the product located to one side of the fold are raised from the sheets located at the other side of the fold. In accordance with a preferred constructional embodiment of the invention there is provided a clamping member equipped with a pressure element and a counterelement, the printed product is introduced between these elements in order to carry out the product opening activity.

PATENTED 3.692.301

sum 3 or 3 INVENTOR.

IAKO B WETTER e/fa n (M92; M2

ATTORNEYS METHOD OF, AND APPARATUS FOR, OPENING FOLDED MULTI-SI-IEET PAPER PRODUCTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved method of, and apparatus for, opening folded, multisheet paper products, for instance folded newspapers, especially for the purpose of introducing an insert or the like, such as a supplement, into the paper product.

In the case of newspapers, yet also for periodicals, books, advertising brochures and similar multi-sheet paper products it is often necessary to introduce an insert into such paper products. For instance in the case of newspapers it is common to provide the main newspaper section with so-called pre-printed products or inserts of the most varied types. Introduction of the inserts into the paper product generally takes place at the present time through the use of machines designed for this purpose.

Yet a pre-condition for the introduction or insertion of these inserts is that the paper product is initially opened to an extent to properly receive the insert. Hence, for this purpose the prior art is familiar with the technique of damming-up or flexing the fold of the paper product so that the portions thereof which merge with both sides of the fold tend to bow out at both sides to form a hollow compartment. A separating element can then be introduced into this hollow compartment in order 'to complete the opening of such paper product.

This technique of initiating opening of the product, apart from the fact that it is not totally foolproof because no measures are provided to ensure that both sides of the product will bulge or bow out, is further disadvantageous because the damming or flexing of the fold itself oftentimes produces a crimp or fold which extends transverse to the main fold of the paper. product. The formation of this transverse extending crimp or fold oftentimes prevents the following closing of the product again and, in the extreme case, even can cause tearing of the paper. I

The technique is also known in the art wherein a gripper element engages with an open or cut edge of the paper product. Then both of the gripper jaws of the gripper element, and which jaws maybe provided with an adhering coating or with pointed or tipped portions, are moved relative to one another, preferably at an angle with respect to the product fold. This technique produces results similar to the above-discussed technique where the fold itself is dammed-up or flexed, however here the fold is not damaged. Moreove, this technique, considered from the stand-point of the requirements of the apparatus needs a minimum amount of hardware, especially if it is considered that a gripper must be provided for each individual paper product.

A further proposal which has been advanced in this art for the purpose of opening paper products consists incutting the cut edges of the product by means of a separating element. Considered more specifically this technique contemplates the introduction of, for instance, a sword-like element or a wedge into the cut edge of the product and thereafter opening such product. This opening technique however is only really suitable for paper products which possess a certain minimum thickness, and additionally it is still nonetheless associated with the drawback that it is possible to damage the side edges of the sheets which coincide with the cutting edges.

Finally, it is also here to be mentioned that the prior art is familiar with a technique of opening folded paper products by using suction cups. Also this proposal requires a not inconsequential amount of hardware in the apparatus designand furthermore has only limited application because the effective action of these suction cups, as isknown, is only really effective at the directly contacted sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, from what has been explained above it will be seen that the prior art is still in dire need of an effective method of, and apparatus for, opening folded paper products in a manner which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior techniques and apparatuses used for such product opening purposes. Hence a primary objective of this invention is to provide a novel method of, and apparatus for, opening such paper products in a manner effectively fulfilling the existing need in the art and reliably and effectively overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Another and more specific object of this invention is directed to a new and improved method for opening paper products of the most varied types, which resorts to the use of extremely simple means for carrying out the product opening operation and with the use thereof extensively avoids the previously mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the state-of-the-art techniques.

Yet a further significant object of this invention relates to an extremely simple construction of apparatus for opening paper products in an efficient and reliable manner, minimizing all possible danger to damage of the product as it is being handled by such opening apparatus. I

A further noteworthy object of this invention relates to a novel construction of apparatus for opening paper products which is extremely simple in design, yet highly reliable in operation, not readily subject to breakdown or malfunction, requires a minimum of maintenance and servicing, and is economical to manufacture, and further provides for safe handling of the products or articles which are to be opened.

The invention is predicated upon the recognition that in the case of paper products of the previously mentioned type the fold itself is not a crimp or kink,'

rather a strong bend extending through approximately and that the entire paper product is subjected to a certain pre-stress which has the tendency of eliminating the fold, yet however generally is not strong enough to permit the paper product to again open. With this in mind the method aspects of this development contemplates exerting, at the region of the fold, a pressure directed transverse to the plane of the product, so that the sheets which are located to one side of the fold tend to lift away from the sheets of the product located to the other side of the fold.

Surprisingly it has been found that this pressure assists the action of the pre-stress so that, at that location where no pressure is exerted, the paper product opens as if some sort of counter action to the exerted pressure occurs.

Now as already indicated above the invention is not only concerned with the novel method aspects but also with a preferred construction of apparatus for carrying out the contemplated method of this invention. Hence the inventive apparatus as proposed herein is of the type equipped with a contact surface destined to guide the fold of the paper product. According to an important aspect of this development there is provided a clamping member equipped with a pressure element and a counterelement, and the printedproduct or the like can'be introduced between such pressure element and the counterelement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof.

Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate the manner in which the pressure exertedat the region of the fold acts upon a multisheet newspaper;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the essential components of a first embodiment of apparatus for carrying out the inventive method; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 show respective variant embodiments of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, and by referring initially to FIG. 1 there will be recognized a newspaper 1 consisting, for instance, of four portions 2. Each of these portions 2 consists of a twice folded paper sheet, therefore possesses a side fold and a main fold portion. These four portions 2 are inserted within one another so that the four main fold portions collectively form the so-called collar or main fold 3 of the newspaper I. The newspaper I bears upon a support surface 4 which is inclined with respect to the horizontal by an angle 5, as best seen by referring to FIG. 4.

Now if a pressure is exerted at the corner between the collar 3 and the side folds, which has been schematically indicated by the arrow 6, then, this pressure initially has the following effects: the location of the newspaper I which is subjected to the pressure is compressed. However, since neither the main fold portions forming the collar 3 nor the side folds of the individual newspaper portions 2 are crimps or kinks in the sense that the radius of curvature is practically null, the reaction of this pressing or compressing together is to fan out the flaps of the portions 2 located to one side of the collar 3.

This fanning apart has been clearly illustrated in FIG. 2 and is particularly favored by the fact that with the inclined position of the newspaper I, inclined at the angle 6, the inherent weight of the components of such newspaper does not oppose this fanning out of the newspaper portions 2.

If particular attention is now paid to the structure shown in FIG. 3 which essentially is a section taken substantially along the line III-III of FIG. 2, then it will be apparent that owing to this fanning apart of the flap portions of the newspaper portions 2 a substantially wedge-shaped gap 7 forms at the side of the side folds.

This gap 7 provides a positive point of attack for gripper means or other mechanical means facilitating the subsequent completion of the opening of the newspaper I.

This phenomena becomes even more pronounced if the structure of FIG. 2 is viewed in a section taken along substantially the line IV-IV of FIG.'2, as-indicated in the showing of FIG. 4. The wedge-shaped gap 8 appearing in this plane is particularly large, especially also only because the newspaper I itself isin an elevationally erected position. If the newspaper were situated in a horizontal position then the formation of the gap 8 would be countered by the inherent weight of the fanned out newspaper flap portions. On the other hand, even with the horizontal position the gap 7 would also be formed.

Now by referring to FIG. 5 there is illustrated therein an exemplary embodiment of inventive-apparatus for carrying out the just-described operations in a continuous method. The schematic illustration of apparatus construction depicted in FIG. 5 serves the purpose of.

also introducing a further newspaper section into the opened newspaper I.

Here also there will be recognized the newspaper which in its entirety is again indicated by reference character 1 and which in this instance consists of two newspaper portions each of which have been twice folded. The upright disposed support surface in this case is formed by two endless conveyor bands 4 and 37, both of which are driven to continuously revolve at the velocity C and are trained about the rollers 6, 66 as shown. The exact manner in which the conveyor bands 6 and 66 are actually driven is not crucial to the invention and any suitable drive arrangement can be utilized. The collar or main fold 3 of the composite newspaper I, in other words the newspaper formed of the two portions 2 bears upon a contact or impact rail 20.

In this case the requisite pressure is exerted by a roller 27 which is secured by means of an extended chain link 26 to a chain 23 which likewise revolves at the velocity or speed C As-a means of simplifying the illustration of the drawings there have been conveniently omitted the conventional guide rails which prevent any bending through of the conveyor bands 4 and 37 and the chain 23. The newspaper I which is clamped between the pressure roll 27 and the conveyor band 4 therefore likewise travels at the velocity C, over the contact or guide rail 20 and, furthermore, is sub jected to the pressure effects of the pressure roll 27 which, as illustrated, causes a spreading apart or fanning of both leading edges of the flaps of the newspaper portions 2 which merge with the one side of the collar or main fold 3.

With increased velocity C of the conveyor bands 4, 37 and the chain 27 this spreading or fanning apart is further intensified or favored by virtue of the prevailing wind effects appearing during such movement, although this side effect is only then of certain limited use if the leading edge of the folded newspaper is fonned by side folds.

At the discharge side of the conveyor bands 4 and 37 there is arranged a stationary separation wedge orimplement 68 which possesses a tip portion 69 in the form of the bow of a ship.

During the course of the conveying action of the newspaper I along the conveying bands 4 and 37 the newspaper I enters by means of the gap 8, formed owing to the action of the pressure roll 27, into the separation wedge 68 which positively completes the opening of this newspaper I. Thereafter, the newspaper I is further conveyed, for instance by the action of the conveyor band 4 and the chain 23 with the roller 27,

the length of which can be extended past the separation wedge 68, so that a further paper section or, the like can be displaced through the mail box-like chute 70 of the separation wedge 68 into the opened newspaper. The newspaper then finally moves perpendicularly downwards, that is to say in the direction of the chute 70, yet however is freed for such downward movement from the conveying mechanism, for instance by raising or lifting the roller 27 in any convenient fashion. It should be apparent that the contact or guide rail does notextend beneath the chute 70 of the separation wedge 68.

Considering now the showing of FIG. 6 it is to be understood that there is illustrated therein on a smaller scale a modification of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 5, and which here is especially suitable for opening somewhat thinner paper products, for instance newspapers, possessing a total thickness in the range of 5 millimeters or below.

Once again there will be recognized the newspaper which is designated in its entirety by reference character 1 and also the conveyor, bands 4 and 37 serving as the erected support surfaces. Similar to'the showing of FIG. 5, there is visible the deflecting rollers 6 and 66 of the conveyor bands 4 and 37 respectively, as such rollers appear at the discharge side of these conveyor bands. Also in this case the collar 3 (main fold) of the newspaper I bears against the contact or guide rail 20.

In this arrangement the roller 27 which is provided at the extended chain link 26 of the revolving chain 23 essentially only serves as a conveying element in order to press the erected newspaper I with sufficient force against the conveying band '4, so that the friction prevailing between this conveying band 4 and the newspaper I is sufficient to overcome the friction existing between the collar or main fold 3 and the contact rail 20, that is, in order to be able to even impart the requisite feed or conveying movement to this newspaper I.

The pressure at the region of the 'fold of the newspaper 1 in this instance is exerted by means of a special pressure element 50. Such is advantageously constructed as a circular sector-shaped-cam disk or plate 53, the edge 54 at the peripheral side of which is sharpened approximately in the manner of a folder. The cam disk 53 is seated upon a shaft 51 which, by any suitable and therefore non-illustrated means, is driven in the direction of the arrow 52 in such a manner that the peripheral velocity of the edge 54 approximately corresponds to the conveying speed C of the conveying band 4.

It is to be observed that the shaft 51 essentially extends parallel to the surface of the conveyor or conveying band 4 but is angled or inclined with respect to the direction of conveying. Hence, during contact between the edge 54 and the newspaper I there is not only generated the action of a pressure force against the surface of the newspaper I which is perpendicular to such newspaper surface and an additional component which is effective in the direction of conveying indicated by the velocity vector C,, but rather also there is produced a slight thrust or pushing effect upon the portion of the newspaper I which is contacted by this cam disk 53, this thrust effect being essentially perpendicular to the collar 3.

The most important effect of the disk 53.resides in its pressure action and in the formation of a locally limited kink which neither engages with the main fold 3 nor the leading fold, and which surprisingly brings about a more pronounced effect at the upper edge of the newspaper of the pre-stress which emanates from these folds. In reality, then, even when working with thinner products, the wedge-shaped gap 8 mentioned in conjunction with the description of the apparatus in FIG. 5, is also here formed. Introduced into this wedge-shaped gap 8 is the tip 69 of the separating element or wedge 68 arranged following the discharge end of the conveyor bands 4 and 37, this tip 69 here being located towards the top of the newspaper I, and thereby automatically completing the opening of the newspaper I which has been initiated by the pressure disk or segmented plate 53.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the inventive apparatus which is suitable for opening paper products, and in particular is especially suitable for opening even thinner paper products than is the case for the embodiment of FIG. 6. Such thin products, for instance with a total thickness beneath two millimeters and a size corresponding to the average format of a newspaper, typically, as is known, possess much too slight rigidity or stiffness that they can be conveniently placed in the advantageous erected position with the fold arranged at the bottom of the product and utilized for carrying out the inventive method, without the danger of the entire product itself crumbling or collapsing together.

Therefore, with the arrangement of FIG. 7 there is provided an approximately horizontally extended endless conveyor band 71 which is guided about suitable deflecting rollers so as to travel with the velocity C,, and wherein as a matter of convenience FIG. 7 only illustrates the discharge side-located deflection roller 72. The width of the conveyor or conveying band 71 is somewhat less than the width of the newspapers 1 which are reposing upon the conveying band 71 and 1 are conveyed in this position, so that the main fold 3 protrudes laterally somewhat past the side edge of the conveyor band I which is closest to the observer.

Here also, a chain 23 is operatively associated with the conveying band 71, chain 23 being driven for movement in the same directional sense as the conveying band 71. This chain 23 also is equipped with elongated chain links 26 (only one of which is shown) which extend towards the outside with respect to the revolving path of travel of the chain 23, these chain links being arranged at a uniform spacing from one another and having secured at their free ends the respective rollers 27. In this arrangement the rollers 27 function as pure pressure elements inasmuch as they fixedly retain the newspaper 1 against the conveying band 71.

The pressure action of the rollers 27 alone, in the case of thin and horizontally conveyed newspapers,

would indeed contribute to the formation of a wedgeshaped gap at the cutting edge of the newspaper I situated opposite the fold 3, but the width of such gap is too small to positively ensure that thereafter the opening of the newspaper I to completion can be carried out by mechanical means.

Therefore, with this embodiment and for carrying out the inventive method in addition to the exertion of the pressure the section of the newspaper I which is between the fold 3 and the point of attack of the pressure, namely the point of application of the roller 27, is flexed in the direction of the exertion of the pressure. This flexing or bending brings about a forced shortening of the uppermost situated sheets of the newspaper I and, since the pressure continues to be exerted, leads to an increase of the stress in such sheets, resulting in an improved formation of the gap 8.

In order to be able to carry out this bending action, there is advantageously provided for the embodiment of FIG. 7 a small auxiliary chain 73. This auxiliary chain 73 is guided about three sprocket wheels or gears 74, 75 and 76. The revolving path of travel of the chain 73 extends in a plane which is essentially perpendicular to the plane containing the conveying band 71. Disposed within this revolving path of travel of the chain 73 is a section 78 which, viewed in the driving direction in the sense of the arrow 79, penetrates from the top towards the bottom the plane of the conveyor band 71, and specifically directly adjacent the side edge of this conveyor band which is closest to the observer. At the section 78 of the chain 73 there emerges a section 77 which extends approximately parallel to the direction ofconveying indicated by the vector C At the chain 73 there is likewise secured an outwardly protruding arm member 80, at the free end of which there is mounted for rotation a roller 81.

Owing to this arrangement the situation automatically arises that the section of the newspaper I protruding laterally past the conveyor band 71, during the course of 'itsbeing conveyed, is downwardly flexed, as best seen by referring to FIG. 7.

Following the conveyor band 71, there is arranged a further conveyor or conveying band 82 which is guided over suitable rollers, for instance the roller 83 which is visible and is driven by any suitable and therefore not particularly shown means with the same conveying speed as the conveyor band 71. Care must be taken to ensure that the 'width of this conveyor band 82 is greater than that of the conveyor band 71, and therefore is sufficient to support the entire width of the newspaper 1.

Continuing, it will be observed that a stationarily arranged sheet metal guide member 84 is operatively associated with the conveyor band 82, and wherein the end 85 of this guide member 84 which confronts the discharge end of the conveyor band 82 extends over such discharge end and possesses a twisted shape. The free terminal edge 86 of this twisted end section 85 of the sheet metal guide member 84 extends practically parallel to the plane of the conveyor band 71, and is located as a slight spacing above such conveyor band 71. Accordingly, this sheet metal guide member 84 possesses an increasing vertical direction or ascent throughout the extension of the section 85, in order to merge into a flat almost vertically extending section 87 following the section 85.

By virtue of this arrangement the newspaper l, directly after the formation of the enlarged gap 8 brought about by the aforedescribed bending, promoted by the chain 73 considered above, moves with this enlarged gap 8 into the terminal edge 86 of the sheet metal guide member 84. Owing to the twisted end section this guide member 84, during the course of the further conveying of the newspaper I, completes the opening operation of the newspaper which was initiated through the formation of the gap 8.

In order to ensure that the completion of the newspaper opening operation brought about by the sheet metal guide member 84, at the higher conveying speeds, does not result in a complete flipping openof the newspaper owing for instance to the effect of the traveling wind upon the relatively thin (light) newspaper, the side edge of the conveying band 82 which is closest to the observer of the drawing of FIG. 7 is provided with a contact or impact band member 88. This contact band member 88 extends perpendicular to the conveyor band 82 and is driven inany suitable fashion to move in the same direction as the conveyor band 82. The revolving movement of the contact or impact band 88 has been indicated in FIG. 7 with the velocity vector C During the further conveying of the newspaper I by the conveyor band 82 the main fold 3 comes to lie in the crevice or corner formed by the cooperative arrangement of conveyor band 82 and contact band 88.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of opening folded, multi-sheet paper products, especially for introducing an insert into the opened paper product, comprising the steps of exerting a pressure at the region of a fold of the folded multisheet paper product, which pressure is directed transverse to the plane containing the product, and by means of the exerted pressure lifting the sheets of the product disposed to one side of the fold from the sheets of the product disposed to the other side of such folds.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of exerting the pressure closer to one side edge 5. The method as defined in claim 4, including the step of conveying the paper product in a direction extending substantially parallel to the fold of the paper product, and exerting the pressure during such conveying of the paper product.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of additionally bending the section of the paper product disposed between the fold and the point of apstp of exerting the pressure at a locally limited region of the paper product, and wherein the paper product is kinked at this region.

8. An apparatus for opening folded multi-sheet paper products, especially for the introduction of an insert into the opened paper products, comprising means providing a contact surface for guiding the fold of each paper product, clamping means provided along the path of guiding of the paper products which comprises at least one pressure element and a counterelement, each paper product being insertable between said pressure element and counterelement, and conveying means for introducing such paper products between said pressure element and counterelement.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, further including an endless revolving chain, said pressure element being secured to said endless revolving chain, said counterelement comprising a conveyor band driven for synchronous movement with said chain.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein each said pressure element is in the form of a press roll.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said pressure element is provided with a sharpened edge at the side thereof which is effective for exerting the pressure in order to simultaneously kink the paper product.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said counterelements comprises a conveyor band having a substantially horizontally disposed conveying surface for the purpose of conveying the paper products with its fold freely laterally protruding, an endless revolving chain moving in the same direction as said conveyor band, said pressure element comprising a press roll secured to said endless revolving chain and cooperating with said freely laterally protruding fold, a bending device arranged laterally of said conveyor band by means of which said freely laterally protruding fold of the paper product is flexed until extending beneath the conveying surface of the conveyor band. 

1. A method of opening folded, multi-sheet paper products, especially for introducing an insert into the opened paper product, comprising the steps of exerting a pressure at the region of a fold of the folded multi-sheet paper product, which pressure is directed transverse to the plane containing the product, and by means of the exerted pressure lifting the sheets of the product disposed to one side of the fold from the sheets of the product disposed to the other side of such folds.
 2. The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of exerting the pressure closer to one side edge merging with the fold than another side edge also merging with the fold.
 3. The method as defined in claim 2, especially for opening paper products which have been twice folded, including the step of exerting the pressure at the corner between the main fold and a side fold.
 4. The method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of lifting the paper product into an inclined position with the fold of the paper product being located lowermost and extending approximately horizontally, and thereafter exerting the pressure upon the paper product.
 5. The method as defined in claim 4, including the step of conveying the paper product in a direction extending substantially parallel to the fold of the paper product, and exerting the pressure during such conveying of the paper product.
 6. The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of additionally bending the section of the paper product disposed between the fold and the point of application of the pressure about a bending axis which is parallel to the fold and in the same direction as the effect of the pressure.
 7. The method as defined in claim 1, including the stp of exerting the pressure at a locally limited region of the paper product, and wherein the paper product is kinked at this region.
 8. An apparatus for opening folded multi-sheet Paper products, especially for the introduction of an insert into the opened paper products, comprising means providing a contact surface for guiding the fold of each paper product, clamping means provided along the path of guiding of the paper products which comprises at least one pressure element and a counterelement, each paper product being insertable between said pressure element and counterelement, and conveying means for introducing such paper products between said pressure element and counterelement.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, further including an endless revolving chain, said pressure element being secured to said endless revolving chain, said counterelement comprising a conveyor band driven for synchronous movement with said chain.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein each said pressure element is in the form of a press roll.
 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said pressure element is provided with a sharpened edge at the side thereof which is effective for exerting the pressure in order to simultaneously kink the paper product.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said counterelements comprises a conveyor band having a substantially horizontally disposed conveying surface for the purpose of conveying the paper products with its fold freely laterally protruding, an endless revolving chain moving in the same direction as said conveyor band, said pressure element comprising a press roll secured to said endless revolving chain and cooperating with said freely laterally protruding fold, a bending device arranged laterally of said conveyor band by means of which said freely laterally protruding fold of the paper product is flexed until extending beneath the conveying surface of the conveyor band. 